MOTHER’S DAY

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON MAY 13, 2007

John 14:23 "If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to Him and make our home with Him.”

"We will make our home with him."

If there is a word appropriate for mother's day it would surely be that word 'home'.

When we were young our mothers were the loving person at home- and were our home. As we grow up we leave home, but our mothers are always there at home for us. In our adult life we will often share our homes with our mothers, or visit them with our families in their home. And when they get old their well-being at home becomes our concern. And sometimes the roles are reversed, and we are the ones providing a home for our mothers.

Home isn't the only world in today's gospel appropriate for mother's day. Jesus talks about love. He also uses the word peace and then this wonderful saying: 'Let not your hearts be troubled."

All these are words that come to mind when we think fondly of our mothers: Love, peace, let not your hearts be troubled.

Then this phrase: "Keep my word” - which means, “Do what I tell you”. My mother was always saying that to me!!

So today's gospel inadvertently brings to mind thoughts of our mothers. But, of course, in today's gospel Jesus is not talking about mothers. For this gospel is part of St. John's long narrative of what Jesus said and did on Maundy Thursday evening. Jesus knew what was in store for him the following day, Good Friday. Therefore what he says to the apostles in this long discourse are things of supreme importance. Consider - if you knew that tomorrow you were going to die, you wouldn't waste words to your friends about the weather, or politics, or the Padres. What you would say, for instance, to your mother would be words of the utmost importance.

So what Jesus lays out in St. John chapters 13-17 are at the heart of his message and his purpose for his church. And this includes the establishment of the Eucharist, the washing of the feet, his great parable and teaching: “I am the vine You are the branches”, his new commandment of love, which we heard last week, and today the statement that he is about the leave the world. Did the apostles understand it all? I doubt it. But what he says in today's gospel reading is clear, and they would have grasped the meaning. For his central message is love.

Therefore he wants them to understand that what will happen tomorrow, on Good Friday - that everything that he about to undergo - is due to his love for the world, and the Father's great purpose of love for the world.

And Jesus wants them to understand that those who follow him will show similar love. And in doing that God will make his home with them. And then he says that they will know peace - the peace of God which passes all understanding. And to make this happen they will receive the Holy Spirit.

This is on Maundy Thursday night. Three nights later, in the evening of the first Easter Sunday, it would all prove to be true. On that night the risen Lord appeared to the apostles in the upper room. And his opening words were: "Peace be with you." The same peace he mentions in today's gospel. And then, St. John says, He breathed on them. And said: "Receive the Holy Spirit."

So all the things that we find in today's gospel will come to fruition as the climax of his resurrection.

When Jesus says: "Receive the Holy Spirit" this is a particular phrase. For the words the Holy Spirit are not found much in the Old Testament, and this is the first time we find them in the New Testament. In the Old Testament the Spirit of God is referred to by the Jewish word Ruach, which means 'breath.' And the Spirit is portrayed as the creator, spirit, the breath of God. He breathes over the waters of creation, and inspires holy men and women throughout the ages.

In the New Testament, at the baptism of Jesus the Holy Spirit takes the form of Dove, the symbol of peace. Later, the symbol of fire and wind. But now at the crucial point of Jesus' teaching and mission - on this Maundy Thursday - something which affects the very foundation of the church, Jesus uses the formal title the Holy Spirit, which tells us a number of things.

Firstly, that this is the third person of the Trinity, equal with the Father and the Son. Secondly, that he is the personal gift of God to all believers.

Thirdly, that the Spirit is the one who makes God's home within us.

Did they understand, I wonder? Do we?

Often we associate other words with the Holy Spirit, like Comforter and Paraclete.

Today’s translation uses the word 'counselor'. Frankly I don't like it! It has all the overtones of modern day counseling. It means non-judgementalism, it means how you feel. and it means only do what is good for you.

Isn't that the problem with the world today? We are like doing what feels good to us, and not anyone else. It encourages us to do what feels good, downplaying any idea of responsibility, or wrongdoing, or sin.

We don't hear the word 'sin' in the church much these days. In fact the translation of today's gospel "Keep my word" is far softer than "Keep my commandments". Lest we think being a Christian involves some commandments. For some people think that loving God and loving your fellow man means having no rules. It is all about feelings.

Not so with Jesus. The correct translation of v.23 is "If you love me you will keep my commandments." Earlier, in John 14:15, Jesus portrayed love as the source of obedience. Now he speaks of obedience as the test of love.

With our mothers and fathers wasn't obedience the test of our love for them when we were children? If that is the test for our mothers and fathers, how much more must it must be the test for our Heavenly Father? And definitely with regard to his son, the Lord of love - who is a supreme example of obedience and love. And why? For love's sake. “If anyone loves me my Father will love them and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Love is central to everything that Jesus said and did.

And when we love God, and God comes to us and makes a home with us, then we know the power of love, the joy of peace, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. And it's more than just warm feelings.

The Father loves everyone with an infinite love, such as can only be expressed by the obedience and self-giving love of the son. It is not some emotion that makes us feel good, but sacrificial love. And Jesus says this is the love that makes its home with us personally.

This home is not some temporary abode or resting place, but is like the home we have with our mothers.

+ The embrace and comfort of unconditional love.

+ The sense of belonging.

+ The strengthening and encouragement which comes from one who knows us so well.

All that is applied to our mothers, and is applied also to God. And for this to happen, Jesus - having taught the 12 all he wanted to - said he must leave them. Something they could not comprehend. He must leave this creation in which he had lived for 33 years and return to his Father, to his heavenly home.

That is why the Ascension, which we celebrate this Thursday, is such a joyful feast - because Jesus returns to his home, so that He may be our home on earth.